Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Quarterback Matthew Stafford has a rocket for an arm. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is as gifted as any receiver to ever play the game.

Reggie Bush leads a very solid running back corps, which is capable of attacking the opposition in multiple ways.

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is menacing. Rookie first-round draft pick Eric Ebron, a tight end, is impressive athletically. This is the best offensive line the Lions have had since the 1990s. There is sure-handed free agent wide receiver Golden Tate on offense, vastly underrated linebacker DeAndre Levy on defense.

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The list of terrific talent on both sides of the ball for the Lions is relatively long, especially compared to five years or so ago.

However, just when you think the Lions are starting to get their proverbial act together, Friday night vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars happens.

It was like “flag day” at Ford Field, but had nothing to do with patriotism. Yellow flags littered the field like hot dog wrappers on a windy afternoon back in the day at Tiger Stadium.

Through three quarters, with their regulars on the field much of the time, the Lions were flagged for 15 penalties.

Now, the NFL has been particularly ridiculous with its penalty calls this preseason. It’s dragged the games to a snail’s pace.

But it wasn’t those type of penalties that hindered the Lions. It was just bad fundamentals, and poor concentration and mental awareness.

It’s the type of thing that destroyed Jim Schwartz’s program in Detroit. It will do the same to his successor, Jim Caldwell, if it continues into the regular season.

“We weren’t as sharp, but that’s because there were first and 20s we had to overcome,” Caldwell said. “It bothers you, and you have to get it straightened out. We just have to keep emphasizing it

“The great majority of them are preventable.”

The third preseason game is often referred to as a “dress rehearsal.” If that’s the case, then Friday’s performance by the Lions is not a precursor of a great things to come.

Oh, there were moments when the Lions flashed their considerable talent, most notably on an electrifying 86-yard touchdown run by Bush. Johnson made a couple nice receptions in his preseason cameo role. There was a stretch Stafford completed nine straight passes.

However, Stafford threw an inexplicable interception, and Suh took an inexcusable roughing the passer penalty for hitting Jaguars’ QB Chad Henne long after he released the ball.

On the third and long, the Lions’ defense allowed passes to be completed easily in front of them for first downs.

The Jaguars are one of the worst teams in the NFL. They were not often able to take advantage of the generosity, but the Lions undoubtedly will pay mightily for such transgressions when the results count against better teams.

The fourth and final preseason game Thursday at Buffalo is a mere formality. The key is always to get through the preseason without major injuries. The Lions have been fortunate in that regard.

But it’s also a time to establish your fundamentals.

Talent doesn’t equal greatness when it comes with repeated mistakes.

Mediocrity is the result.

The Lions weren’t even that good during their “dress rehearsal” for the regular season.

About the Author

Pat Caputo has written as a beat writer and sports columnist for The Oakland Press since 1984 and blogs at http://patcaputo.blogspot.com/. Reach the author at pat.caputo@oakpress.com
or follow Pat on Twitter: @PatCaputo98.